Cad system, program for running the system, and recording medium having the program recorded therein

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a CAD system, a program for operating the system and a recording medium. The system is capable of automatically recognizing parts to be processed, from CAD data which only contains a product shape, and generating the shape of body to be processed and the work contents therefore.  
     The CAD system includes a processing information group ( 15 ) and a process definition group ( 18 ). The processing information group includes: a processed-body division ( 15   a ) which stores a part whose material substance is to be removed by a single or a series of processing operations, as a body for each of the process operations by pre-defined work instructions; and a process-contents division ( 15   b ) which stores information about work contents of each process operation in relation to the body. The process definition group contains definitions of a plurality of process operations. Upon selection from the process operations and parts to be processed ( 51′  through  59′ ) in an original product body ( 50′ ), shape information is extracted for each of the selected parts to be processed ( 51′ - 59′ ) and tools and parameters for processing the extracted shape are determined, a processed bodes ( 51 - 59 ) are generated, the generated processed bodies ( 51 - 59 ) are stored in the processed-body division ( 15   a ), and the determined tools and parameters are stored in the process-contents division ( 15   b ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to CAD systems, programs for operating thesystems, and recording medium containing the programs.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional CAD (Computer Aided Design) system such as “AutomaticProgramming Device and Method” disclosed in JP-A 10-207523, when afigure is created, processing information is specified simultaneously.According to this technique, several basic shapes are registered inadvance, and by entering parameter values to these basic shapes, bodydata of a solid model which is to be removed is created. Then, byperforming an arithmetic operation to delete the body data from theoriginal body shape, a product shape is created.

However, CAD data which is delivered from the designer to the factoryoperator often contains only the product shape. In such a case, theoperator who works on the CAD system described above must first create abody shape, and then input various parameters and so on for theprocessing. In the operation of CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing)systems, this has been a factor which decreases work efficiency.

In addition, according to the conventional CAD system, bodies can onlybe made from the basic shapes which are already registered. Whencreating shape data of any non-registered part which is to be processed,a new basic shape must be created. Therefore, the system has not beensuitable for complex processing under circumstances where the shape issubject to frequent changes.

Further, conventional CAD systems only projects a product shape whichhas resulted, without clear information about the process. Processingoperations which have been performed are only shown as remarks forexample. As a result, after a complex process of operations, it becomesdifficult to tell specific steps through which the shape has beencreated. This leads to such problems of missing operations as well asperforming unnecessary operations.

For a reference, here is a list of conventional techniques and theirlimitations.

First, JP-A7-182019 discloses “Processing Information GeneratingDevice.” This relates to a simulator which performs set operationsconcerning a deleted shape and a product shape resulted from thedeletion process, in order to restore an original body shape. As isclear from the statement “The deleted shape is not displayed” inParagraph 0024 of the Gazette, the invention is not intended to storethe deleted part as CAD data or display the part for use.

JP-A 2001-121383 and JP-A 2001-117616 disclose techniques, in which ashape after processing and an original shape are compared against eachother for recognition of deleted parts and generation of NC data.Neither of the techniques is intended to create solid data for parts tobe deleted so that the solid data can be utilized forcorrection/instruction for processing operations.

JP-A 6-266427 discloses a technique, in which merely a processing pathis set, and the invention does not help grasp the contents of processingoperations themselves.

In view of the circumstances described above, a first object of thepresent invention is to provide a CAD system, a program for operatingthe system and a recording medium, capable of automatically recognizingparts to be processed from CAD data which only contains a product shape,and generating the shape of body to be processed and the work contentstherefore.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a CAD system, aprogram for operating the system and a recording medium, in which theoperator can identify processing operations intuitively and clearly.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the above objects, a CAD system according to thepresent invention includes a processing information group and a processdefinition group. The processing information group includes: aprocessed-body division which stores a part whose material substance isto be removed by a single or a series of processing operations, as abody (shape-body) for each of the process operations by pre-defined workinstructions; and a process-contents division which stores informationabout work contents of each process operation in relation to the body.The process definition group contains definitions of a plurality ofprocess operations. Selection from the process operations and parts tobe processed in an original product body, shape information is extractedfor each of the selected parts to be processed and tools and parametersfor processing the extracted shape are determined, a processed bodes aregenerated, the generated processed bodies are stored in theprocessed-body division, and the determined tools and parameters arestored in the process-contents division.

In addition to the above described characteristics, preferably, the CADsystem further includes a body display control unit which, uponselection from displayed processed bodies, displays work contentsrelated to the processed body.

Further, preferably, the system displays area differences or aninterference region if there is any area difference between the originalproduct body and the processed bodies generated in correspondence withthe parts to be processed or if an interference region exists betweenthe processed bodies. Further preferably, the area difference and theinterference region are displayed in respective colors or patternsspecific to the kind. This enables intuitive grasp of design mistakes,processing mistakes and so on.

Preferably, work content data for each of the bodies stored in theprocess-contents division are attribute data of corresponding body datastored in the processed-body division. According to this characteristic,unlike conventions where body data and process attributes are stored perunit of process, work content data is stored as part of body data. Thisenables readily reference to the work contents, making possible toproceed with the operation quickly and efficiently.

A combination of a plurality of tools may be stored in a selectable-toolset as the pre-defined work instructions, for each kind of the bodies.Also, the pre-defined work instructions may be made per body, and mayinclude a plurality of steps.

Displaying each of the bodies in a color or a pattern specific to thekind of machining will help visual identification of the work contents.Each piece of work content information stored in the process-contentsdivision is an equivalent to a work instruction in a CAM, and deletionof any of the bodies causes deletion of the related work contents.

The CAD system may further includes body data control unit which, uponspecifying and copying the body to another position, stores workcontents for this another position in relation to the copy of the body.

The body data control unit may function as follows: Specifically, theprocess definition group may also include a plurality of the processingoperations, and the body data control unit creates and displays on aspecific area a body corresponding to a processing operation selectedfrom the process definition group upon specification of a location on adrawing.

The present invention can be embodied into three-dimensional CAD systemsas well as two-dimensional CAD systems. Three-dimensional display makesrecognition of the body easy. The present invention can also be embodiedinto computer programs for executing any of the CAD systems describedabove, or recording medium containing the program for a computer forexecuting any of the CAD systems described above.

According to these characteristics of the CAD systems offered by thepresent invention, a part to be processed is selected, and then a bodyis extracted from CAD data of an original product shape. Because ofthis, input operation of the body has become easy. Further, processoperation data for a part to be removed is generated even for a complexshape, based on the selected processing operation and the part to beprocessed. This drastically reduces the burden of inputting data. As aresult of these, operation of the CAD/CAM system has becomesignificantly efficient.

Further, by selecting any of the processed body, the operator canreadily know the contents of processing operations, i.e. workinstructions, which have been made to the body. Work contents such astools to be used and the amount of cut can be varied conveniently. Thesehave enabled to make instructions for more appropriate machining.

Other objects, arrangements and advantages of the present invention willbecome clearer from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a three-dimensional CADsystem.

FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the three-dimensional CADsystem.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a process definition group.

FIG. 4 is a display example on a monitor screen: FIG. 4(a) is aperspective view; FIG. 4(b) is a side view; and FIG. 4(c) is a frontview.

FIG. 5 is a display example; parts of an original material which are tobe removed by processing operations are displayed as bodies, withoutlines of the original material.

FIG. 6 is a display example; the outlines of the material are not shown,and an input window is displayed.

FIG. 7 shows a tool list window.

FIG. 8 shows a selected-tool list window which lists tools selected foruse.

FIG. 9 shows how tools in FIG. 8 are used for drilling a through hole:FIG. 9(a) shows a 3 mm-diameter center drill;

FIG. 9(b) shows a 9 mm-diameter drill; and FIG. 9(c) shows a 9.5mm-diameter drill; and FIG. 9(d) shows a 10 mm-diameter reamer.

FIG. 10 shows a processing-operation procedure window in working onprofile.

FIG. 11 shows how machining is made for each of the processingoperations: FIG. 11(a) shows starting-hole drilling; FIG. 11(b) showspocket making; FIG. 11(c) shows detail removal machining; and FIG. 11(d)shows outline machining.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a generation procedure of a processedbody and work contents.

FIG. 13 shows a bore finishing tool selection window.

FIG. 14 shows a selected-tool list window which is displayed after thebore finishing tool selection window in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows area differences and an interference region as displayedin color.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, the present invention will be described in further detail whilemaking reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional CAD system 1. This includes a bus 2which has an address bus and a data bus, and is connected with a monitor3, a CPU 4, a memory 5 and input devices 6 for the operator. The inputdevice includes a keyboard 6 a, a mouse 6 b and a digitizer 6 c. Thememory 5 which is provided by a hard disc, RAM and so on, stores piecesof software shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Commands from the input devices 6are executed by the CPU 4 and results of operations are displayed on themonitor 3. Data created by the CAD are transferred as CAM data to NCequipment 8 via network adapters 7 a, 7 b, memory elements and so on,for machining operations.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a software configuration 10 of the software forexecution by the three-dimensional CAD system according to the presentinvention. The software configuration 10 includes object data memorymeans 14, 15, 18 which store main data. These object data memory means14, 15, 18 are controlled by a display control unit 12 and aparameter-input control unit 13, and display is made on the monitor 3.Object data include individual drawing data 17 and a process definitiongroup 18. The individual drawing data 17 includes anoriginal-product-body group 14 and a processing information group 15.The processing information group 15 has, for each body to be removed, aprocessed-body division 15 a which stores CAD data of the processedbody, and a process-contents division 15 b which stores data about thecontents of processing operations.

Both of the original-product-body group 14 and the processinginformation group 15 are collections of CAD data and thus include aplurality of bodies. When working on the solid-base object, “bodies(shape-bodies)” include three kinds of shells: solid shell, surfaceshell and wire shell which does not have any surfaces and consists onlyof a wire. Thus, a body refers to any 2D/3D (plane/solid) figure whichis made of these shells. When the object is surface-based, the bodyrefers to any 2D/3D figure made of surfaces or wires.

The original-product-body group 14 refers to an original product body50′ which is before being processed into the final product shown in FIG.4. In FIG. 4, reference codes 51′ through 59′ indicate parts of theoriginal product body 50′ before being processed. These parts correspondto parts after being processed which are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 andindicated by respective reference codes 51 through 59 without a prime.

The processed-body division 15 a is a collection of bodies which are tobe removed by processing operations. Each body is shown, e.g. in FIG. 5,as a large hole 51, a lateral hole 52, a vertical hole 53, a squarecutout 54, profiled part 55 and such. The body in the processed-bodydivision 15 a is to show where material substance is to be removed, soit primarily consists of solid shells or surface shells if it is a solidmodel.

The process-contents division 15 b is a collection of data stored asattribute data of a body for example, and includes a plurality of workcontents. The content of each work is related to a corresponding one ofthe bodies stored in the processed-body division 15 a. Normally, theprocessed-body division 15 a and the process-contents division 15 b arestored as part of the processing information group 15 which is a singleCAD file, and are readily accessible from the related body to view thework contents.

The process definition group 18 is the original data of theprocess-contents division 15 b, and contains a group of definitions fora plurality of kinds of works. In the process definition group 18, theoperator can select “boring”, “drilling” or “profiling” for example, andthen define parameters to specify the method of the work. As shown inFIG. 3, the process definition group 18 includes such parameters as aselectable-tool set 19, a sequence of operations, relative positionparameters, display color parameters and a body data generator 20, foreach of the works.

The selectable-tool set 19 is a set of tool data of a single or aplurality of tools selected from a tool definition group 21. The tooldefinition group 21 includes identification of the tool including tooldimensions, and the amount of work made by the tool, in the form ofparameters. Examples of these parameters, in case of a drill, aredimension parameters such as the drill diameter and the hole depth. Inthe case of “through hole drilling”, as shown in an available-tool menu73 in FIG. 8, three kinds of drill works and one reamer work areincluded, so four kinds of tools are included in the data of theselectable-tool set 19 or recorded as “pre-defined work instructions”.

Among the parameters in the process definition group 18, the sequence ofoperations indicates the order of machining by tools listed in theselectable-tool set 19. The relative position parameters determinerelative positioning relationships between a plurality of tools.

The body data generator 20 has absolute position parameters. Once aspecific part of the body is selected by using the input device 6, anabsolute work position in the three-dimensional space is identified, andbody data is created based on the other parameters described above. Inthe case of drilling a hole, the diameter of the drill to be usedfinally, the depth and the location of hole define an absolute shape inthe space, and creating body data based on these is the only task to do.For example, if boring operation is selected and then the vertical hole53′ is specified in FIG. 4, various parameters are obtained from thevertical hole 53′ which is part of the original product body 50′, and atthe same time, a body of the vertical hole in FIG. 5, 6 or a cylindricalbody is created. In other words, process definitions in the processdefinition group 18 are a sort of library which contains definitionsmade in accordance with the final shape to be made by the process, andthus it becomes possible to define a variety of shapes usingcombinations of the tool definition groups 21. It should be noted herethat the object or the vertical hole 53′ may be specified first,withtheworkcontent or “boring” being selected thereafter.

Each data in the processed-body division 15 a is accessible through theparameter input control unit 13: By selecting the object and a newlocation, the body data control unit 11 will create a copy at thespecified location. During this process, the corresponding work contentsfor the new position is copied from the process-contents division 15 b,and the work contents are modified according to the new location.Similarly, when body data is deleted through the parameter input controlunit 13, the body data control unit 11 deletes the corresponding workcontents in process-contents division 15 b.

FIG. 4 shows the shape of a final product which has been processed. Themethod of display is conventional. The large hole 51, the lateral hole52, the vertical hole 53 and the square cutout 54 are all relativelyeasy machining work classified in boring or cutting. The profiled part55 is formed as a generally square cutout 56 as viewed from above, witha first elongated circular island 57 and a third circular island 59being left, and a second island 58 which has its height reducedslightly. Parts indicated by reference codes 51 through 59 are eachdisplayable as bodies as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The display controlunit 12 and the parameter input control unit 13 control theprocess-contents division 15 b, the process definition group 18 and thetool definition group 21, which appear, for example, as display windowssuch as a tool-list window 70 in FIG. 7, or display windows in FIGS. 8and 10, on the monitor. The display control unit 12 uses differentdisplay colors for each of the processed bodies 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55,as specified by the display color parameters in the process definitiongroup 18. Specifically, each body is displayed in a different displaycolor depending upon the work contents and dimensional tolerance.

FIG. 7 shows a tool-list window 70 which is displayed, for example, in abox drawn in broken lines and indicated by a reference code V in FIG. 6.The tool-list window 70 displays a list of tools stored in the processdefinition group 21, with the “tool name” and the “tool diameter”, andthe operator can scroll the list using a scroll bar and make choicestherefrom. Once a tool is selected, work contents achievable with thetool is displayed in the bottom portion of the window 70. The example inthe figure show a case in which the selection is made for No. 12Rough-mil, and the display gives information that this Rough-mil tool isfor a pocket making, and shows a table which lists various dataincluding the dimension of a step to be created on the island, the depthof drilling and so on. By clicking a “Register” button or a “Delete”button, the operator can register or delete tool data. Windows, whichare to be discussed later and shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, may also beshown in the same box area V in FIG. 6, whereby it becomes easy to checkwork contents and giving work instructions.

FIG. 8 shows an example of definitions in the process definition group18, for drilling works such as the large hole 51 and the vertical hole53. Once selection is made for a tool for finishing the hole, in anunillustrated hole finishing tool selection window, the available-toolmenu 73 lists the “tool names”, “drill diameters” and “drilling depths”of the available tools for this sequence of operations. The numbers 1through 4 indicate the order of drilling works, which correspond toprocessing operations shown in FIGS. 9(a) though (d) respectively. Inthis particular boring, a center drill of a 3-mm diameter is used firstto make a small hole. Then, a 9-mm high-speed-steel drill and a 9.5 mmdrill are used one after the other, and finally, a 10-mmhigh-speed-steel reamer is used for a final finish. As exemplified, byspecifying a working depth for each drilling operation according to thepresent invention, it becomes possible to perform appropriate machining.If such work contents are to be modified, the operator can click an“Add” or “Delete” button to make appropriate changes on the tools forexample.

FIG. 10 shows a work sequence list window 74, which relates to contentsof work instructions for the profiled part 55. “Preliminary machining”,“pocket machining”, “detail removal machining” and “outline machining”in this figure correspond to process operations shown in FIGS. 11(a)through (d). In the profile machining, if a large-diameter tool is usedfor pocket machining as shown in FIG. 11(b), certain parts are leftuncut, such as angled or curved borders between the cutout and islands.Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11(c), a small-diameter tool is used toperform the detail removal machining. Further, as shown in FIG. 11(d),border areas between the cutout and the islands are smoothened by theoutline machining. By specifying tools and various parameters for eachmachining operation, it becomes possible to do precise profilemachining. There is still another window called profile definitionwindow, which displays parts for which work instructions have been made,i.e. the cutout 56, the first island 57, the height difference and depthof machining to the the second island 58. Further, an outline shape isdefined for each island.

Now, description will cover how to use the CAD system according to thepresent invention, with reference to FIG. 12 through 14. First, theoperator makes a selection from an unillustrated menu; from “boring”(including through holes and bottomed holes), “profile machining”,“surface machining” and other process definitions, in the processdefinition group 18 (S1), and then selects work areas 51′ through 55, asshown in FIG. 4 which are areas where the processing operations are tobe made (S2). The selections made here represent the input of absoluteposition parameters in the body data generator 20. Display screens shownin FIG. 4 as well as FIGS. 5 and 6 can be toggled back and forth asneeded.

If the selection is made for the vertical hole 53′, no other parametersare needed than already set in the process definition group 18 (S3).Thus, a hole finishing tool selection window 75 in FIG. 13 is used toselect a Machining Start Button 75 a (S6). Upon the selection, displayedis an available tool-list window 76 shown in FIG. 14, and selection ofan OK Button 76 a generates bodies 51 through 59 as shown in FIGS. 5 and6 (S7). Further, the process-contents division 15 b stores contents asshown in FIGS. 8, 10, 14, etc. (S8).

On the other hand, when input must be made for other parameters as inthe case of the profiled part 55′ (S3) a clicking is made on the outlineof profiled part 55′ in FIG. 4. With the clicking, a range of theprofile machining is specified. In a profile machining selection window74 shown in FIG. 13, an unillustrated machining-sequence edition button74 b is selected (S4), and locations of e.g. the cutout 56′, the firstisland 57′ and the second island 58′ are inputted with a mouse orthrough number input (S5). Steps after the work instructions (S6) arethe same as in the case of boring which has been described above;specifically, an automatically created processed body 55 is stored inthe processed-body division 15 a (S7), and the contents of theprocessing operations are stored in the process-contents division 15 bin the sequence as shown in FIGS. 11(a) through (d) (S8).

Upon selection of a processed body in FIGS. 5 and 6, work contentsrelated to the selected body are selected from the process-contentsdivision 15 b, and the display control unit 12 displays the contents onthe monitor 3. For example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the lateral hole 52,the vertical hole 53 and so on are selected via the input device 6, thesystem will give a display such as in FIG. 8.

Further, if selection is made for apart of those regions indicated byreference codes 56 through 59 in the profiled part 55, a screen as shownin FIG. 10 is generated, which will help confirm the contents of theprocessing operations performed. Further, conversely, upon specifying atool in the tool-list window 70 shown in FIG. 7, the display controlunit 12 will display a corresponding body to be made with the specifiedtool, through relational links with the tool definition group 21, theselectable-tool set 19, the process definition group 18, theprocess-contents division 15 b and the processed-body division 15 a.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, there is a plurality of the lateral holes 52 and thevertical holes 53, of the same shape in their respective categories.Therefore, the operator can simply place one, and then make copies forthe others. By using the body data control unit 11 and the displaycontrol unit 12, machined bodies and work contents are generated.

When checking the works, all that is needed is to fit all the processedbodies 51 through 59 onto the original product body 50′. If there is noprocessing error, and the fitting is complete, then a result is theoriginal body 40. For example, as shown illustratively in FIG. 15(a),assume that the original product shape has a part to be processed or avertical hole 53′, and this has been made smaller than the diameter ofthe vertical hole 53 or the body of the processed-body division 15 a. Insuch a case, the area difference A1 between the two holes 53, 53′ may beindicated in a specific color. This enables easy perception of theprocessing mistake, and prevention of actual machining mistakes.Likewise, color-coded display should also be made in a case as shown inFIG. 15(b) if a processed body or the vertical hole 53 has a smallerdiameter than that of the vertical hole 53′ of the original product body50′. In this case a region A2 which indicates insufficient removal ofmaterial is emphasized with a color. Further, as shown in FIG. 15(c), iftwo vertical holes 53, 53 interfere with each other, the interferenceregion A3 should also be displayed in a specific color. Each of thesethree kinds, i.e. the area differences A1, A2 and the interferenceregion A3 may be displayed in a specific color which is different fromeach other, then it becomes possible to recognize design errors andcauses of machining mistakes at a glance.

Finally, reference will be made for possibilities for other embodiments.

In the embodiment described above, a system according to the presentinvention is embodied in a single computer. However, the system may be anetwork system involving a plurality of computers. Also, color coding ofeach processed body may be replaced by different hatching patterns orother surface patterning.

In the embodiment described above, the processed-body division 15 a andthe process-contents division 15 b are recorded as CAD data in a singlefile; however they may be stored in separate files. In such a case, arelationship may be defined between the processed-body division 15 a andthe process-contents division 15 b, so that selection of a body willimmediately enable work contents to be displayed.

In the embodiment described above, the present invention is embodied asa three-dimensional CAD system. However, the system may be atwo-dimensional CAD system, although three-dimensional CAD systems aresuperior in terms of intuitive operation and automatic input of completemanufacturing data.

In the embodiment described above, the body data generator 20 obtainsparameters and creates body data when a specific body part of theoriginal product body 50′ is selected with the input device 6.Alternatively, parameters may be entered directly without specifying abody part.

In the embodiment described above, each of the processed bodies 51through 59 is not necessarily identical with their respective originalbodies which are indicated by the reference codes 51′ through 59′. Forexample, if the original body is a tapered drill hole and this hole isto be represented by a cylindrical processed body, then the outline ofthe processed body is displayed larger than the outline of the originalbody which has a tapered tip. In this case, not all volume of theprocessed body is removed in the actual machining. On the other hand, ifan original body is displayed as a tapered drill hole and this hole isto be a cylindrical hole made by a milling operation, then again, theoutline of the processed body is displayed larger than the outline ofthe original body, but in this latter case, all volume of the processedbody is removed.

Reference codes seen in the claims are solely for the convenience inmaking reference to the drawings, and these codes do not limit thepresent invention to the configuration depicted in these drawings.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used as a CAD system or a CAD/CAM systemwhich is capable of storing and displaying work contents.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A CAD system comprising a processing informationgroup and a process definition, the processing information groupincluding: a processed-body division which stores a part whose materialsubstance is to be removed by a series of processing operations, as abody for each of the process operations by pre-defined work instructionsgiven via an input device; and a process-contents division which storesinformation about work contents of each process operation in relation tothe body, the process definition group containing definitions of aplurality of process operations, upon selection from the processoperations via the input device and selection of parts as CAD data to beprocessed via the input device in an original product body, shapeinformation is extracted from the original product body based on thework instructions for each of the selected parts to be processed andtools and parameters for processing the extracted shape are determinedbased on the selected processing operations and the extracted shapeinformation, processed bodies as CAD data are generated separately fromthe parts to be processed, the generated processed bodies are stored inthe processed-body division, and the determined tools and parameters arestored in the process-contents division.
 14. A CAD system comprising aprocessing information group and a process definition group, theprocessing information group including: a processed-body division whichstores a part whose material substance is to be removed by a series ofprocessing operations, as a body for each of the process operations bypre-defined work instructions given via an input device; and aprocess-contents division which stores information about work contentsof each process operation in relation to the body, the processdefinition group containing definitions of a plurality of processoperations, upon selection from the process operations via the inputdevice and selection of parts as CAD data to be processed via the inputdevice in an original product body, shape information is extracted fromthe original product body based on the work instructions for each of theselected parts to be processed and tools and parameters for processingthe extracted shape are determined based on the selected processingoperations and the extracted shape information, processed bodies as CADdata are generated separately from the parts to be processed, as shapeswhich do not match as after profiling operation or other processoperations, the generated processed bodies are stored in theprocessed-body division, and the determined tools and parameters arestored in the process-contents division.
 15. The CAD system according toclaim 13 or 14, wherein a variety of shapes are defined by usingcombinations of the tool definition groups.
 16. The CAD system accordingto claim 13 or 14, wherein the process definition group includes aplurality of the processing operations.
 17. The CAD system according toclaim 13 or 14, wherein a combination of a plurality of tools is storedin a selectable-tool set as the pre-defined work instructions, for eachkind of the bodies.
 18. The CAD system according to claim 13 or 14,wherein work content data for each of the bodies stored in theprocess-contents division are attribute data of corresponding body datastored in the processed-body division.
 19. The CAD system according toclaim 13 or 14, further comprising a body display control unit which,upon selection from displayed processed bodies, displays work contentsrelated to the processed body.
 20. The CAD system according to claim 13or 14, wherein the system displays area differences or an interferenceregion if there is any of the area differences between the originalproduct body and the processed bodies generated in correspondence withthe parts to be processed, or if the interference region exists betweenthe processed bodies.
 21. The CAD system according to claim 20, whereinthe area differences and the interference region are displayed inrespective colors or patterns specific to the kind.
 22. The CAD systemaccording to claim 13 or 14, wherein each piece of work contentinformation stored in the process-contents division is an equivalent toa work instruction in a CAM, deletion of any of the bodies causingdeletion of the related work contents.
 23. The CAD system according toclaim 13 or 14, further comprising a body data control unit which, uponspecifying and copying the body to another position, stores workcontents for this another position in relation to the copy of the body.24. The CAD system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the processdefinition group includes a plurality of the processing operations, thesystem further comprising a body data control unit which creates anddisplays on a specific area a body corresponding to a processingoperation selected from the process definition group upon specificationof a location on a drawing.
 25. The CAD system according to claim 13 or14, wherein the system makes three-dimensional display.
 26. A computerprogram for operating the CAD system according to claim 13 or
 14. 27. Arecording medium containing a computer program for operating the CADsystem according to claim 13 or 14.